The Persecution of Mr. Tony Elms (the Bromley Poltergeist)

Cassirer, Manfred

Account of an investigation of the Bromley poltergeist, initiated in 1973, which took place in a London garden supplies depot. The poltergeist agent was a 50-year-old nurseryman, Tony Elms, who worked for Alf Taylor, whose business was seriously disrupted. Phenomena consisted of movement of objects, apports, direct writing (and drawing) and a mysterious face in three-dimensional relief that appeared on a counter. Fertilizer was thrown about. Cassirer and Pauline Runnells, the investigators, could find no evidence of deception or motive for hoax. Taylor, Elms, and another man witnessed objects move, including a jug they had wedged in a box to keep it stationary. Fertilizer pills rose to the ceiling but then rained down on customers. The sign of the cross was often imprinted. An attempted exorcism made matters worse. Tony Elms was pushed, and his lucky charm disappeared. The nurseryman's attitude changed over time from one of skepticism to not caring whether outsiders believed them or not. Taylor's diary notes are given in full in Appendix 1. Pauline Runnell's account is given in Appendix 2.